Shults' heroism was reminiscent of Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, the hero from 2009's "Miracle on the Hudson" in January 2009, when a US Airways flight landed in the Hudson River just off midtown Manhattan.

When reached for comment, Sullenberger said he too was impressed by Shults and her co-pilot.

"[They did] a really good job and remained calm, communicated well and had good teamwork," he said.